SSN newsletter 07.06.17

SSN news

The next in the series of knowledge exchange documents are now available for SSN members on the Knowledge Hub. These documents will focus on the transport section of the draft Climate Change Plan, with particular emphasis on active travel. For information on how to join the Knowledge Hub, please contact Kathryn Duncan.

The SSN Steering Group met on Wednesday 24th May. For information about Steering Group members, please see here. The summary minutes from the meeting are available for members to view on the Knowledge Hub. For further information about the SSN Steering Group, please contact Kathryn Duncan.

We are pleased to announce that as of Thursday 1st June 2017, public bodies can formally begin the latest cycle of climate change reporting. In line with the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015, reports should be completed and submitted through an online reporting platform by 30th November 2017.Guidance on how to use the Online Reporting Platform can be accessed on the SSN webpage here. Guidance to assist with the completion of the information needed to populate the climate change reports can be found here. The guidance document provides extensive information on how to use the Platform and how to complete the report. Additionally, the SSN team can provide limited support on public bodies duties reporting. Please email ssn@keepscotlandbeautiful.org or call 01786 471333 and ask for Craig Dun or Jennifer Kaczmarski.SSN Member Event: Preparations are underway for the Support for Reporting training on the 22nd June in Dundee, which is open to SSN members who are new to the reporting process. Find out more and book your place here.

How Glasgow is to double its bike share to capture broader cyclist demographicGlasgow City Council has invested £15 million since 2008 on cycling infrastructure. A key focus of the 2010 Strategic Plan was to provide and grow a bike share scheme. This has been operated since the 2014 Commonwealth Games by Nextbike. The council funds the capital costs of the scheme which supports the implementation of the scheme. For more information, please see here.

Abertay team on a green missionA team from Abertay University Students' Association is on a ‘greenifying’ mission. Staff and students have taken on an allotment at the Community Garden in Dundee’s Robertson Street. The EcoAbertay team are growing fresh produce, which will then be used to create soup bags or given out across campus at little or no cost. For more information, please see here.

Borders College: sustainability updateThe latest issue of "Sustainability Matters', the Borders College sustainability newsletter is now available here. Including the College now working on its second Carbon Management Plan and the intention to create a new Sustainability Strategy, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.

2017/18 Forth Active Sustainable Travel (FAST) GrantSEStran is pleased to announce a potential new funding opportunity in the sustainable and active travel sphere, that could deliver £200,000 of funding to the successful applicants(s). The successful project(s) will deliver more sustainable and active outcomes for the people and communities in our region.

Partner updates

The EAUC launches new Living Lab researchEAUC has launched the definitive guide to Living Labs to help Universities and Colleges overcome sustainability challenges. A Living Lab is where real-world institutional problems are addressed in new dynamic partnerships between all the institution's stakeholder groups, including external partners and local communities. It helps identify existing resources and redirects them to the right problems. The potential is transformational. Recognising this, the EAUC has conducted in-depth, world-leading research on how Living Labs will forge a revolution in post-16 education. You can find out what Living Labs are and how they could benefit you here.

Global Recognition for Scottish Youth Climate CharityScotland’s youth climate group, the 2050 Climate Group, has been named best project in the United Kingdom in the prestigious Energy Globe Awards. As a national winner, the 2050 Climate Group have been automatically selected in the Youth category for the International Energy Globe World Award. For more information please see here.